Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-11-20
BULLETS FOR BULLETS
EXCITING ENCOUNTER OF A PARTY OF
UNION TROOPS
Who Were on Their Way to Join Their Regiment
in TexaS-HOw the ConfederateS Were
Put to Rout by a Lively Fire.
Boston Globe.

"Of course If you are determined to go l
will give you all the assistance in my
power, but to enter Texas now will place
your life in fearful danger" These were
the words OF the United States Consul at
Matamoras, Mex when a Union secret
service officer informed him that he was
ordered to visit Austin by way of San An
tonic, having some business in the latter
place. As the hardy band of c%ut.throats,
called the Texas Rangers, were hanging
Union men caught trying to escape across
the frontier into Mexico, the situation was
rather terrifying, but as it did not look so
very difficult to get into Texas, the adage
Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof
was quoted, and the soldier made ready
for his excursion into the Ion Star State.
Twentv-four hours later a gentleman i'll
the habiliments Of O well-to-do person OF
Mexican birth was destroying the English
language in his attempts to make an officer
from the United States steamer Montgom-
ery understand that the Southerners would
have an independent government within
six months. The navy warrior did not APP
pear to enjoy the conversation, but the
Mexican received the decided approval OF
a gentleman from Brownsville, who seemed
eager to demonstrate his entire reliance i'll
the prophecy made. Upon the carelessly
made statement Of the Mexican that he
would depart for San Antonio In n few
days, the Texan intimated his willingness
to aid him if a call at his place
of business was made, and the
kindly proffer was remembered. Ac'
cordingly the following day the
Brownsville merchant received a
visit from the Mexican prophet, and the
letters of introduction from prominent
Confederates in Texas that the latter was
possessed of, gained him the fullest conf
dence of his host aud information ola very
valuable nature was extracted in q manner
that prevented suspicion being aroused in
the Texans mind. Two yong gentlemen
of Brownsville, on their way to Join
Kirby's infantry, expressed a desire 10 ac-
company the Mexican on his horseback
trip to San Antonio, and, nothing lcath,
the traveller extended a hearty welcome
and assured them of his anticipated pleas
ure in having such congenial company,
The tour was made in five DAYS without
noteworthy Incident, but sufficient was
Cleaned on the road to convince the secret
service officer that if his disguise as a
greaser was discovered the lariat would be
strong and the operation quick that would
connect him with the home beyond the
vale.
The Union sentiment in that part OF
Texas proved to be smoldering, waiting for
an opportunity to burst into flame, and
was only kept down by the uncertainty
that every man felt about his neighbOr.
1t was an established theory among the
seceders that any one selling his property
at that time did so with the intention Of
crossing into Mexico at the first available
chance. In consequence, a very sharp
watch was kept on all those who were sup
posed to be of Northern sentiment. Every
Confederate the secret service officer con-
versed with wasin favor of hanging on sight
all citizens unwillingto join the Southern
army, and also of sending those on
whom suspicion rested to the eastern part
of the State after enlistment. 1t was
in the beginning Of March, 1852, aud Brig
adler. General p. o. Herbert, o. the Confed-
crate army, a very energetic officer, was
making the life of the Union men around
San Antonio uncomfortable by his espion-
age, but as the secret service officer was
chaperoned by true gray Confederstes his
movements were not questioned by the
vigilant General. Yet the Union oflcer,
Notwithstanding his appreciation OF the
kindness received, was compelled to do all
in his power to Illustrate the plans OF his
entertainers and 80 prevent them breaking
IN 'ss Aest snzszawspt the sun has ever